[quote=captcha]Earlyretirement, can you post a listing in Santaluz that you are talking about? I see only three under $1MM (one at $999K). The most affordable one is 2,327sf at $352/sf with $450/month HOA (Google Maps shows 4S-sized backyard). Earlier today someone posted about a $170/sf short sale in 4S with $85/month HOA. I see few 3,500-4,000sf houses for around $800K on lots similar in size to the Santaluz one. I don’t see the listing in your neighborhood that is really comparable in affordability to 4S.[/quote]
It’s been a while since I last looked at stuff for sale but this summer there were several listings. Maybe there aren’t as many now for sale but you get the gist. I’ll post a few below.
There may not be too much for sale now but I’m sure things come and go. Also, some sellers are still in la la land asking for prices they will never get. I’m sure eventually reality will set in with these people.
And again, I wasn’t trying to say Santaluz and this general area has the same affordability as 4S Ranch because it certainly doesn’t. I realize 4S Ranch is quite a bit cheaper.
It’s not even about size of the yard to me as it is quality of construction of the houses and general community.
This house we saw in Santaluz and it kept falling out of Escrow. It was a traditional sale. $888,000 which I thought was great value. You could have easily turned the upstairs area into a 5th bedroom if you wanted with an in-suite bathroom. So 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.
As you can see it only closed a few short months ago in mid September.
My main point is would you rather own a beautiful house like this for $888,000 or some of the junk they have in 4S Ranch?? And it’s not even like someone could argue that this home was a short sale because it was a traditional sale.
This one isn’t in Santaluz but at the Crosby. It went for $1.1 million which I thought was a great price. A short sale. Take a look at the sales history!
4,720 sq. foot with over half an acre….not bad to me….
This one sold this summer at Santa Monica in Santaluz. Beautiful house with big yard…I just couldn’t get over the power lines at the back of the development.
I’m by no means saying these are screaming deals. Only that if you are truly buying for the long term and not buying an investment property but a home where you plan to live the next many years….I think now is a decent time to buy.
The rental prices on true quality homes in nice school districts here are in demand and certainly not cheap. So compared to rental prices, ownership costs right now certainly make sense if you’re buying for the long term. Especially with these dirt cheap mortgage rates.
I know places like 4S Ranch have a totally different profile of buyer vs. areas like Santaluz. But I still think it makes sense to point out the vast differences in quality of construction and general quality of the community. Which I found really lacking at much of 4S Ranch. JMHO.
